Professional Educator License (PEL)

If you are a resident of Illinois, there are two ways for you to obtain your IL PEL:

If you completed an entitled teaching program:

Your college or university will recommend you for licensure directly in ELIS. Once you’re approved, simply go into ELIS to complete the entitlement survey and register your license.

If you completed a non-entitled program:

You must apply for your license on your own. There are several steps to this process:

1. Complete an ISBE-approved educator preparation program. The program will cover relevant coursework and include student teaching.

   Browse approved programs →

2. Pass the necessary licensure tests, which vary depending on the endorsement area you are pursuing.

3. Create an ELIS Account and obtain your IEIN. Set up a new account in ISBE’s Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS). Once registered, you’ll receive your Illinois Educator Identification Number (IEIN). Keep this number and your login details in a safe place.

   ELIS Login →

4. Mail an official sealed college transcript to ROE4 OR have it emailed directly from your university to licensure@roe4.org.

   If you mail these documents directly to the Illinois State Board of Education the process may take longer.

5. Log into ELIS to submit the PEL application and pay the ISBE application fee.

6. Register your license. Once your application is approved, you must register it in ELIS and pay the $60 registration fee to make your license valid and employable.

If you currently hold a valid out-of-state educator license — or began the licensing process in another state — you may be eligible to earn your Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) through one of the following two pathways:

Option 1: Reciprocity

You may qualify for an Illinois PEL through reciprocity if you meet both of the following:

• You completed a state-approved educator preparation program

• You currently hold a valid out-of-state license

To apply, please complete the following steps:

1. Create an ELIS Account and obtain your IEIN. Set up a new account in ISBE’s Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS). Once registered, you’ll receive your Illinois Educator Identification Number (IEIN). Keep this number and your login details in a safe place.

   ELIS Login →

2. Email a copy of your valid, comparable out-of-state license to licensure@roe4.org.

3. Have your regionally accredited school mail an official sealed college transcript (bachelor’s degree or higher) directly from your university to licensure@roe4.org.

If you mail these documents directly to the Illinois State Board of Education the process may take longer. 

Option 2: ISBE Form 80-02 (Standards Verification)

If you completed a state-approved educator preparation program but did not obtain licensure in that state, you may still qualify for an Illinois PEL by submitting the ISBE 80-02 form.

You may qualify for this option if you meet the following criteria:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited school

• Have completed student teaching or an equivalent experience

• Have completed a state-approved Program

  Use Form 80-02 →

• Have completed coursework that addresses methods of teaching exceptional children, reading methods, content area reading, and methods of teaching English learners

  Use Form 80-02 →

• Have passed all relevant licensure tests

To begin the process, fill out Section 1 of the ISBE 80-02 form. The remainder of the form should be sent to your state-approved educator preparation program (school) for them to fill out. Your school is responsible for sending the fully filled out form to licensureforms@isbe.net.

Your PEL must be renewed every five years. The renewal window opens April 1 through August 30 of your license’s expiration year. All active endorsements are renewed together with your license. Here are the steps to complete your PEL renewal in Illinois:

1. Complete required professional development. Over the duration of your five-year license cycle, you need to earn 120 hours of professional development from an accredited Illinois provider, such as ROE4, before your renewal deadline.

   View all approved providers →

   View upcoming PD at ROE4 →

2. Log your PD hours in ELIS. Starting April 1 of your renewal year, log into your ELIS account and enter your completed Professional Development Hours (PDHs).

3. Update your employment status in ELIS. Make sure your employment status is accurate and current in ELIS before renewing.

   How to Update Your Employment Status in ELIS →

4. Renew and register your PEL in ELIS. Once your PDHs are logged and verified, select “Renew” in ELIS and pay the $50 registration fee to complete the process.

To be valid for employment, your Professional Educator License (PEL) must be registered in at least one region—and in every region where you work. You may register your license in multiple regions at no additional cost.

A registration fee of $60 is required when your license is first issued and $50 every time you renew (every five years).

To register your PEL:

1. Log in to your ELIS account.

   ELIS Login →

2. Select the “Registration” tab.

3. Follow the prompts to pay the registration fee online.  

1. First, you must complete any deficient PDHs and enter them into ELIS.

   ELIS Login →

2. Next, apply for reinstatement by going to your Action Center in ELIS and clicking “Reinstatement.”

3. You can either pay a $50 penalty fee in ELIS, OR complete nine semester hours of coursework in the endorsement area(s) listed on your license.

   View Acceptable Coursework →

   Please note that if you choose to complete coursework in ELIS and then change your mind, you must call ISBE to switch to the penalty option.

4. Lastly, you must pay all current and outstanding registration fees.

In order to teach in specific content areas or grade levels, you must have the corresponding endorsement on your PEL. Adding endorsements can be done at any time by meeting specific coursework, testing, and experience requirements, and must be applied for in ELIS.  

Learn More →

ELIS Login →